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Parents press Visalia Unified for cameras in special‑needs classrooms; residents also raise concerns about SB181 pilot
Summary
Multiple parents urged the Visalia Unified board to install cameras in special‑needs classrooms (a petition of about 2,200 signatures was cited), citing alleged abuse and the inability of non‑verbal students to report incidents. A separate commenter warned about SB181, a proposed Central Valley school‑safety pilot that would link schools with regional fusion centers.
Several parents and community members used the meeting’s general public comment period to press the Visalia Unified School District for steps they say would improve student safety and transparency.
Linda Martinez, who identified herself as the parent of two VUSD students, said the group’s petition has roughly 2,200 signatures and asked the district to place cameras in special‑education classrooms so non‑verbal students have a way to show what happened during the school day. Martinez said such footage would give parents objective evidence when students arrive with unexplained bruises or injuries.
“Every child deserves a safe environment to go to school,” Martinez told the board, adding that her son is non‑verbal and cannot explain how he may have been hurt.
Britney Kamacho, who said she and her husband helped start the petition, described allegations that TK students in an SLC special‑learning class were victims of abuse. Kamacho cited U.S. Department of Education material noting that students with disabilities can be disproportionately involved in alleged maltreatment and argued cameras would deter misconduct and provide accountability; she acknowledged privacy concerns and suggested limiting access to footage to reported incidents.
At the same public comment period, Mickey K warned the board about SB181, describing the measure as a proposal to establish a Central Valley school‑safety coordination pilot that would connect schools with regional fusion centers. Mickey K said fusion centers are law‑enforcement intelligence hubs with limited transparency and urged the board not to participate in such a pilot, warning parents might withdraw students if participation is mandatory and opt‑out is not provided.
Other commenters raised related concerns about bullying and the need for additional staff training and administrative oversight. Board members did not take formal action on the petition or on SB181 during the meeting; public commenters asked the board to consider the requests going forward.
